Evaluation of intestinal epithelial barrier and permeability in calves with neonatal diarrhea

Objective. The aim of this study is to investigate the variation in the serum zonulin and diamine oxidase levels in calves with diarrhea. Material and methods. 61 calves with neonatal diarrhea were enrolled. These calves were between 1-28 days old and had been diagnosed with relevant diseases through rapid diagnostic test kits. Serum levels of diamine oxidase and zonulin were examined among different infection groups including as Cryptosporidium spp., E. coli, Cryptosporidium + Clostridium perfringens, E. coli + Clostridium perfringens, Cryptosporidium + Coronavirus, and a healthy control. Results. In the Cryptosporidium spp. group, serum diamine oxidase and zonulin levels were 7.97 ± 1.86 ng/mL and 46.71 ± 5.81 ng/mL, respectively. In the E. coli group, diamine oxidase was 5.6 ± 0.59 ng/mL, while zonulin was 76.64 ± 2.80 ng/mL. The Cryptosporidium + Clostridium perfringens group showed diamine oxidase at 7.99 ± 0.55 ng/mL and zonulin at 57.14 ± 8.98 ng/mL. In the E. coli + Clostridium perfringens group, diamine oxidase and zonulin were 7.38 ± 0.72 ng/mL and 36.56 ± 6.88 ng/mL, respectively. The Cryptosporidium + Coronavirus group had diamine oxidase at 3.77 ± 0.78 ng/mL and zonulin at 46.71 ± 7.11 ng/mL. In healthy controls, diamine oxidase was 16.91 ± 1.09 ng/mL and zonulin was 35.69 ± 3.69 ng/mL. Conclusion. These findings suggest that infections may have an impact on intestinal barrier function, and serum zonulin levels may reflect this effect.